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Archives for October 2016

7 Easy Fall-Themed Dog Treat Recipes

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Looking to make your dog some homemade treats this fall or Halloween? We've rounded up 7 easy fall-themed dog treat recipes!

7 Easy Fall-Themed Dog Treat Recipes

I absolutely love making homemade treats for Mauja and Atka. It gives me peace of mind knowing exactly what’s in their treats, plus it makes me feel good to see them so happy. Unfortunately, coming up with treat recipes is not at all my forte (my attempted birthday cake for Mauja demonstrates that perfectly). So, I rely on other kitchen-savvy bloggers to come up with recipes for me!

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite fall-themed dog treat recipes which are perfect for any fall or Halloween festivities. All of these recipes are super easy and sure to please any dog!

DIY Pumpkin Spice Smoothies for Dogs

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I am LOVING these adorable smoothies from Dog Mom Days. These are such an easy yet healthy treat to make for your dog this fall!

Pumpkin Carrot Bites for Dogs

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Looking for a crunchy treat recipe for your dog? These Pumpkin Carrot Bites from My Pawsitively Pets are just what you need!

Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats

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You really can’t go wrong with pumpkin treats this time of year! These crunchy treats from My Rotten Dogs only require 5 ingredients and are a breeze to make.

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats

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Dog Mom Days has a great variation of the traditional pumpkin treat which adds peanut butter to the mix. These are sure to please any peanut butter lover in your home!

Candy Corn Frozen Dog Treats

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These treats from Beagles and Bargains are one of my all-time favorite fall treats! How clever are these frozen treats?

Pumpkin Spice Puppuccinos

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I CAN’T EVEN with these adorable Pumpkin Spice Puppuccinos from Lola the Pitty. Mauja and Atka are always eager for our Starbucks runs, so I love the idea to make a festive version at home!

Marbled Pumpkin & Carob Dog Treats

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These treats from Kol’s Notes may look complicated, but they are ridiculously easy to make! If you plan on giving out a special Halloween treat to the neighbor dogs (maybe in these treat bags!), these Pumpkin & Carob treats are sure to please!

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Looking to make your dog some homemade treats this fall or Halloween? We've rounded up 7 easy fall-themed dog treat recipes!

What Does it Take to be a #WellnessPet?

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Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.This post is sponsored by Wellness and the BlogPawsTM Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share the availability of Wellness Products at PetSmart, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Neither Wellness nor PetSmart is responsible for the content of this article.

What Does it Take to be a #WellnessPet?

Earlier this year, we were beyond thrilled to share with you that one of our favorite lines of dog food, Wellness® Complete Health™, had gone grain-free. Mauja and Atka hadn’t eaten the original Complete Health line in quite awhile due to being on an entirely grain-free diet, so we loved the opportunity to incorporate an old favorite back into their rotation diet.

It’s no secret that we are huge fans of the Wellness products. Aside from the Complete Health Grain-Free line, we’ve also talked a lot about Wellness TruFood and the benefits of a baked food for your dog.

Today, we’re going to round out our Wellness line-up by talking about Wellness® CORE®! While Wellness CORE and Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free are two of our all-time favorites, you’re certain to see the 5 Signs of Wellness after switching your dog to any of the Wellness products.

Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free or Wellness CORE?

5 Signs of Wellness

Skin & Coat Health

By including essential vitamins and minerals as well as quality Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, your dog’s skin and coat will be exceptionally snugglable.

Energy

High-quality proteins, grain-free sources of carbohydrates, and healthy fats provide your dog with the energy necessary to engage in his favorite activities – whether that’s a sprightly game of fetch or a long nap on the couch.

Digestive Health

Healthy sources of fiber, chicory root extra, and probiotics are the perfect combination to support a healthy digestive system.

Eyes, Teeth, and Gums

Appropriate levels of Vitamin A are incorporated into Wellness products to support healthy eyes and calcium and phosphorus support healthy, strong teeth and gums.

Immunity

Fruits and vegetables full of antioxidants as well as nutritional supplements, such a Vitamin E, help to support a healthy immune system.

Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free and Wellness CORE are available at PetSmart

Fluffy Wellness

How do I know when the fluffies are displaying the 5 Signs of Wellness? Easy.

  • Their fur is pyrfectly snuggable.
  • Their eyes speak to my soul.
  • Their smiles sparkle.
  • Their coats glisten.
  • They bounce when I say, “walk”.
  • They leap into the car with glee.
  • They make me feel like the most amazing person in the world <3

Wellness CORE

Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.Wellness CORE was the first food Mauja and Atka had when they transitioned from puppy food to an adult recipe. It has been a favorite for several reasons:

  • Wellness CORE is a grain-free, protein-rich formula
  • No corn, wheat, animal by-products, or anything artificial
  • It’s available in several flavors: Original, Ocean, Wild Game, Small Breed, Large Breed, Puppy, and Reduced Fat
  • There’s more than just dry food. Your dog can try Air-Dried Formulas, Wet Formulas, and several types of treats.

Which Wellness food do you think your dog would like best?

Want more from Wellness and PetSmart? Follow Wellness on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and follow PetSmart on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wellness. The opinions and text are all mine.

Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop | 2016

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Trick or Treat Giveaway Blog Hop 2016 #TrickorTreatDogs | It's Dog or Nothing

It’s that time of the year again! Last year, our amazing pals from Kol’s Notes and Beagles and Bargains put together an amazing Trick or Treat Giveaway hop, so we’re thrilled to be a part of year number 2!

Our Hosts:

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Plus:

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The Prizes:

Fourth Prize – $72 Value

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Nice Mussels plus Wishes, Pecks (8 oz), Beams (7 oz), Quickies, and Smooches (16 oz)

Sponsored by The Honest Kitchen

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Third Prize – $80 Value

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1 bag of canine beef lung treats + 1 bag of canine beef liver treats + 1 bag of canine beef tendon treats

Sponsored by Nature’s Logic

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Second Prize – $100 Value

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14 bag assortment of Caru’s Soft ‘n Tasty Baked Bites and Baked Bars

Sponsored by Caru

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Grand Prize

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$300 PetSmart Gift Card

But wait, we have one more prize!

Social Media Prize

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$20 PetSmart Gift Card + a Custom Bow Tie from Brooklyn Bowtied!

Let’s Get to the Trick!

This year, I taught Atka how to “snuggle” for the Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop. Unfortunately, he became quite sick a few weeks ago and has been on an extremely strict diet – he hasn’t been able to keep much in his stomach.

As a typical Great Pyrenees, he’s unwilling to do anything without the prompting of a treat (which he’s not allowed to have). So, I’m not going to be able to share a fun video like I did last year. Instead, I have a tutorial for you to teach your own dogs!

Snuggle

With Atka well on his way to becoming a therapy dog, I thought it would be adorable for him to learn how to snuggle with those he’s visiting. Of course, he’ll lean on them and beg for pets, but I wanted him to know how to put his head in the lap of another person. So, we decided to learn ‘snuggle’.

How To Do It:

  1. Start in a seated position where your dog can easily access your lap.
  2. Hold a treat between your knees.
  3. As your dog leans toward the treat, click and treat when his head touches your lap (if your dog isn’t trained with a clicker, here’s a great tutorial or you can say ‘yes!’ instead).
  4. After a few rounds of this, begin to add the clue ‘snuggle’.
  5. As your dog begins to understand the concept of putting his head in your lap, require him to hold still for a few seconds before clicking and treating.
  6. Gradually increase the time you have your dog keep his head on your lap.

Atka learned to keep his head in my lap for about 10 seconds before I gave his release word, ‘okay’. It took a few weeks of working before we got to this point, so don’t be disappointed if your dog isn’t willing to hold his head on your lap for long periods of time right away. Just practice, practice, practice!

Now that you’ve learned the trick, how about we discuss the treat?

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win! Don’t forget to visit all of the other amazing bloggers participating in the giveaway hop. Each blogger has their own entry form so you can increase your chances of winning!

Disclaimer: The Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop is a sponsored by Caru, Nature’s Logic, and The Honest Kitchen.

Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop – Dog or Nothing

3 Reasons to Use a Pet Ramp for Your Giant Breed Dog

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Many of us think that since our giant breed dogs are completely healthy, we don't need to worry about their joints until they get older. We have three reasons why you should consider using a pet ramp for your giant breed dog as well as some information about the Solvit Deluxe Tri-Scope Pet Ramp.

We all know pet ramps are great for senior dogs but have you ever thought about utilizing a ramp for a young, healthy dog? For the longest time, I didn’t. Atka jumps in and out of the car easily and Mauja puts her front paws up and waits for a little boost. Easy enough.

After a bit of thought and research, I realized there were several reasons to get a pet ramp while the fluffies were still young and healthy. I knew that the best time to teach them how to use the ramp would be when they weren’t having any mobility issues. What better time than now?

Many of us think that since our giant breed dogs are completely healthy, we don't need to worry about their joints until they get older. We have three reasons why you should consider using a pet ramp for your giant breed dog as well as some information about the Solvit Deluxe Tri-Scope Pet Ramp.

Jumping causes unnecessary stress on your dog’s joints

While jumping in and out of your car may not seem like a big deal, the reality is that each jump causes unnecessary stress on your dog’s joints. This can lead to hip and joint problems early in your dog’s life.

We may not be able to prevent all health issues from occurring in our giant breed dogs, but we can take steps to lessen the chance of any future ailments.

You won’t always be able to assist your dog into the car

I never thought of this reason until I had jaw surgery. After my surgery, I was unable to lift anything over ten pounds for about two months. Mauja expects her rear end to be hoisted into the car, and she certainly weighs quite a bit more than 10 pounds!

This meant that if Nick wasn’t home, I couldn’t take the dogs anywhere with me which was quite a bummer for all of us.

Injuries happen

We all anticipate that as our dogs age there is a high possibility they will develop hip and joint issues that will inhibit their mobility. However, we don’t always prepare for the freak accident that occurs from a too rough play session or simply landing the wrong way on a walk.

An injured dog will require assistance in several ways. Not only will getting in and out of the car be difficult, but things such as getting in and out of a bed or up the front porch stairs can easily be too much. If your dog already knows how to use a ramp, recovery will be much easier.

Solvit Deluxe Tri-Scope Pet Ramp

When given the opportunity to try the Solvit Deluxe Tri-Scope Pet Ramp, I obviously couldn’t say no! We tried a ramp with Mauja a few years ago (our neighbor had an old one she was giving away) and I was not thrilled. Not only was it flimsy, but it was insanely heavy as well! After becoming completely frustrated, I gave up and donated the ramp.

Since the ramp we tried was a cheap, no-name brand, I hoped that our experience would be different with a product from an established company like Solvit. When the package arrived on our front porch, I bent down and braced myself to lift the heavy box.

Except it wasn’t heavy, so I shot straight up in the air (which wasn’t “what was supposed to happen” according to the dogs so they barked – I need to add that to my list of reasons they’re barking!). I couldn’t wait to open the box and try it out.

Many of us think that since our giant breed dogs are completely healthy, we don't need to worry about their joints until they get older. We have three reasons why you should consider using a pet ramp for your giant breed dog as well as some information about the Solvit Deluxe Tri-Scope Pet Ramp.

What I Like About the Solvit Deluxe Tri-Scope Pet Ramp

  • It’s really light at only 14 pounds. I didn’t struggle with it like other ramps I’ve tried.
  • It can support over 300 pounds, yet it’s strong and compact.
  • It has rubber feet to ensure the ramp stays stable (especially important for giant breed dogs – simple movements can easily knock ramps off balance).
  • It has a high-traction walking surface to prevent slipping even with wet paws.

What I Don’t Like About the Solvit Deluxe Tri-Scope Pet Ramp

  • It’s not very wide. With the big paws and wide bodies Great Pyrenees have, Mauja and Atka didn’t have much room.

Even though I felt the width was a tad small, I would still highly recommend the Solvit Deluxe Tri-Scope Pet Ramp.

Remember, it’s extremely important to train your dog to use the ramp with plenty of positive reinforcement – many dogs won’t willingly climb the ramp the first time they see it. Solvit includes tips on how to acclimate your dog to the ramp in the package.

Do you have a pet ramp for your dog? How do you think it has benefitted you both?

DIsclaimer: I received the product mentioned above in exchange for my honest review. Don’t worry – an advertiser will never influence the content of this blog and It’s Dog or Nothing only shares products we love and believe in.

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Many of us think that since our giant breed dogs are completely healthy, we don't need to worry about their joints until they get older. We have three reasons why you should consider using a pet ramp for your giant breed dog as well as some information about the Solvit Deluxe Tri-Scope Pet Ramp.

Simple DIY Trick or Treat Bags for Dogs

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Want to include your dog and their furry friends in the Halloween festivities? Try these simple DIY Trick or Treat bags for dogs.

Halloween can be a pretty rough holiday in our house. Either the doorbell is constantly ringing or there are kids are dressed ‘funny’ causing upset to Mauja and Atka. Sometimes they bark, sometimes they hide, and sometimes they have absolutely no idea what to do with themselves.

For the past few years, we haven’t participated in Trick or Treat because it’s too much stress on the dogs. We turn off all of our lights, close the blinds, and snuggle up to watch a movie or play a game. One year we even took the fluffies on an outing to get them away from the chaos.

 

Related: 50 Photos of Great Pyrenees Winning Halloween

 

While we might not participate in the Trick or Treat festivities, I still enjoy celebrating Halloween. Naturally, I have to do something special for the dogs! This year, I’m making DIY Trick or Treat bags for dogs to hand out to the neighborhood dogs who accompany their humans trick or treating.

 

Supplies

Want to include your dog and their furry friends in the Halloween festivities? Try these simple DIY Trick or Treat bags for dogs.

These DIY Trick or Treat bags for dogs could not be easier to make. While you can easily grab small Halloween-themed bags at the store, I wanted to incorporate a little dog into mine 😉 Here’s what you’ll need:

 

The Process

Okay, I am NOT an artist or even crafty in the slightest so don’t judge my poorly drawn bones and paw prints! Since they are fairly basic, I figured I couldn’t mess them up too bad. If you’re artsier, go crazy here! Or, do what I almost did and grab some stickers to decorate them 😉 If you have human kids, this could be a fun activity for everyone to do together.

Want to include your dog and their furry friends in the Halloween festivities? Try these simple DIY Trick or Treat bags for dogs.

After I drew on each bag, I added the Trick or Treat ribbon and learned that I absolutely cannot tie pretty bows. I don’t think the fluffy butts will care too much about that though!

 

Related: Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop 2017 | Kiss

 

Lastly, fill each bag with some of the treats you purchased. I chose crunchy treats because anything soft would quickly dry out in the open bags. You can find several Halloween-themed dog treats at your local pet store to fill your Trick or Treat bags.

 

Have you ever created Trick or Treat bags for dogs? What treats would you include?

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Want to include your dog and their furry friends in the Halloween festivities? Try these simple DIY Trick or Treat bags for dogs.

Our Go-To Tummy Soothing Recipe for Dogs

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When dealing with upset stomachs in dogs, there are a few go-to ingredients that can assist in helping your dog to feel better. Here is what we feed our dogs when they're suffering from diarrhea or other stomach upset.

Our Go-To Tummy Soothing Recipe for Dogs

We’ve had a rough week here in the fluffy house. It started with Atka waking me up in the middle of the night needing to go outside.

And then he woke me up again.

And again.

And again.

I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in over a week. I’m also on our second bottle of carpet cleaner…

Since it has gone on for so long, we have a vet appointment scheduled later this week (fingers crossed this vet experience is better than the last one!). In the meantime, I have switched Atka to a bland diet to try and soothe his upset tummy.

This has always been my go-to tummy soothing recipe and typically works like a charm.

What You’ll Need

  • Rice (white or brown)
  • Boiled hamburger
  • No sodium added broth
  • 100% pure pumpkin
  • Probiotic powder (we like Wagglies)

Easy Preparation

After cooking your rice, ensure it is tender enough to be easily digested by your dog (err on the “mushy” side). The hamburger should be cooked to ensure it is as lean as possible. I always start with the leanest ground beef I can find and then remove excess fat during the cooking process. Some people prefer to use chicken instead of beef, but Mauja and Atka don’t always do the greatest with chicken.

Create a 3:1 ratio of rice to beef and add a small amount of broth. This is a completely optional step, but I’ve noticed that it keeps Mauja and Atka from spitting the rice to the side 😉

Next, add a spoonful of 100% pure pumpkin (ensure you don’t accidentally grab pumpkin pie mix!) to your rice and meat mixture. Finally, top of the meal with a high-quality probiotic powder to assist with overall gut health. We’ve been really liking the Wagglies probiotic powder because of the high-quality ingredients, easy to administer odorless powder, and added prebiotics to optimize the overall results.

Always start with small meals to give your dog’s stomach a bit of a chance to relax. If your dog’s stomach doesn’t start to heal in a few days or you notice other symptoms such as vomiting, weakness, or lethargy, make a vet appointment immediately. We never want to risk the health of our furbabies!

What usually works to soothe your dog’s stomach?

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When dealing with upset stomachs in dogs, there are a few go-to ingredients that can assist in helping your dog to feel better. Here is what we feed our dogs when they're suffering from diarrhea or other stomach upset.